From the campaign trail.

Clovis is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Here's a snapshot of how we're doing: Clovis is the safest city in the San Joaquin Valley. We were nationally ranked #52 in Livability of 2,000 cities nationwide. Retirement Living ranked Clovis 3rd statewide for retirees. Niche gave Clovis an overall A- and the Clovis Unified School District an A+ rating. Clovis was ranked #20 safest city statewide, the only city in the valley to make the list. These attributes indicate a well-run city with safe neighborhoods, with economic opportunities, a reasonable cost of living and housing, with access to multiple health care possibilities, and a premier school district. Clovis is also known for the Clovis Rodeo, the Old Town Clovis district with a seasonal farmers market and street events, and the Clovis Veteran's Memorial District which is a bulwark serving our veterans and hosting community functions and events. Clovis has transformed from a small agricultural suburb of around 35,000 residents in 1984 (when I moved here) into a booming metropolitan hub with a population of over 131,000 in 2026. Over this same period, Clovis' city limit has expanded from roughly 11 square miles to over 27 square miles. Many could not envision a sheep farm across from Jefferson Elementary, a horse stable on Tollhouse Road where Anlin Windows is now, or Clovis and Herndon as a 3 way stop with everything north being agriculture land. None of these accomplishments happened by accident. They are the result of decades of thoughtful planning, dedicated public servants, and engaged citizens. The decisions we make today may not bear fruit until years later, akin to the adage about planting trees under which you will not sit under in your lifetime. As a city government, why have we been so successful? First, the people of Clovis are good citizens. They care about their neighborhood, are active in their children's education and schools, and they take pride in their community. Next, we hire great employees. As a Clovis PD officer hired in 1987, I saw how we created a culture where our employees go the extra mile to serve the community. I have worked in places where "that's not my job" was an unfortunate reply to requests. Clovis has a city council model where the incumbents are citizens who serve the community on a part time basis. The people who have been elected over the past several decades had important "day jobs" as doctors, lawyers and prosecutors, health care executives and workers, and blue-collar workers in the trades and utilities. There have also been a handful of police chiefs, including myself, to round out the cast of characters. We run as "non-party" candidates, and we serve at the pleasure of the citizenry. With a few exceptions, we serve locally but we have seen council members run for higher offices at the local or state elected officials. One of the things that has worked well for Clovis was council members were elected "at large" where we represented all of Clovis. Citizens with issues could contact any or all of their council to have their voice heard. We could all focus on both city-wide and neighborhood specific issues. This November, we will see our first election in a "district model" and I am running in District 5, which covers NW Clovis. I am confident that we will continue to see what's best for community as a whole and not "what's good for my district" at the expense of another. We will need to remain vigilant and call it out when and if it happens. When I was a captain at Clovis PD in 2005, we had 113 sworn personnel. When the recession hit, the police department and other city departments had to downsize. By 2011, we were down to 93 cops. We struggled for years to recover. I ran for office in 2017, and one of my goals was to rebuild the Clovis Police Department. I am proud that our citizens passed Measure Y in 2024, we are now at 141 police officers. The Clovis Fire Department, which holds the prestigious ISO Class 2 rating, has increased staffing by 7 fire personnel to man our 6 fire stations. I can't stress enough how important this is. One reason families choose Clovis is the confidence that when they call 9-1-1, police officers and firefighters will arrive quickly. Maintaining response times of about five minutes is one of the most important services a city can provide. Generations of Clovis citizens (we need to find a name … how about Clovisians?) have made us what we are today. However, Clovis does face future challenges. We must manage our planned population, business and housing growth in the face of strict state housing mandates, loss of local control to Sacramento, and escalating municipal costs caused by political mandates such as mandatory fleet transition to all electric including buses and heavy-duty vehicles like solid waste trucks. Additionally, rising retirement (CalPERS) costs due to poor investment returns exasperated by politics being inserted into the investment strategies. We are also working on our comprehensive General Plan Update. The public can still participate in this process, see our City website for more information. I am confident that, if we pay attention to the present and have a shared vision for our future, in 2050 Clovis will still be everything and more than it is today.

State Senator Shannon Grove Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld Clovis Mayor Vong Mouatoua Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi Clovis Firefighters Association Clovis Public Works Employees Association Clovis Police Officers Association

It has been my honor to serve as your Councilmember since 2017. My 50-year public service journey began in 1975 in the US Army. I have worked for 7 California cities as a Peace Officer, 5 as the Police Chief. As a 42-year Clovis resident, I served Clovis for 34 years as a Peace Officer, Personnel Commissioner and Councilmember. Clovis is a great place to live and raise a family. This does not happen by chance. It requires leaders with vision and determination. As Mayor during the first year of covid, I fought to reopen our small businesses and protect our most vulnerable citizens. I pushed back on Sacramento's disastrous EV mandates for our heavy-duty vehicles and the creation of recreational trails in SW Clovis. If elected to new District 5, I will continue to work to keep Clovis safe, vibrant, clean and the best city in our valley. My proven record of results has earned me the endorsements of business, community and public safety leaders including Sheriff Zanoni, former Sheriff Mims, State Senator Grove, Supervisor Magsig and Mayor Mouanoutoua. I would be honored to have your vote.

As Mayor of Clovis, Drew wrote directly to Governor Gavin Newsom on April 15, 2020, opposing a proposed statewide suspension of firearm and ammunition sales during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. RE: Opposition to Proposed Suspension of Firearms and Ammunition Sales “I have seen reports that you are being lobbied to enact a statewide suspension of firearm and ammunition sales during the COVID 19 State of Emergency. I am writing you to strongly oppose any such action. Clovis is located in Fresno County. In the last 72 hours, the Fresno Sheriff was forced to release 177 prisoners as directed by the California Judicial Council. These releases, coupled with the recent releases from California State Prisons, will dramatically increase the potential that our citizens will be victimized by these criminals. These people have already shown an inability to live amongst their fellow citizens in a peaceful and lawful manner. As a career law enforcement officer, I know that our peace officers were already overburdened even before this crisis. The first line of protection of our society is NOT our law enforcement officers, it is an informed, responsible and armed citizenry. Our citizens need to have the means to protect themselves, their families and their property from those who would harm them or take their property. Taking our citizens' right to purchase firearms and ammunition under the guise of an emergency order would embolden criminals and frighten an already stressed citizenry. The City of Clovis has followed the COVID 19 Emergency Orders as required. Speaking as an individual elected official and peace officer, I would have an ethical and moral responsibility to oppose any order that endangered the citizens I am sworn to protect. Please do not enact any prohibition on firearm and ammunition sales in our State.” — Drew Bessinger, Mayor, City of Clovis

On September 1, 2021, Councilmember Drew Bessinger wrote to State Senator Andreas Borgeas urging a NO vote on Assembly Bill 937. RE: Opposition to Assembly Bill 937 “I am writing this letter as an elected official and as a career law enforcement officer. You will be considering Assembly Bill 937 very quickly. AB 937 is an immigration reform bill that brings even greater restrictions upon law enforcement than the Sanctuary State laws enacted 4 years ago. AB 937 would prohibit law enforcement from alerting Federal officials when an illegal alien criminal is being released from California State Prisons. If enacted, violent alien criminals would be sent back into our communities. On December 25, 2018 Newman Officer Ronil Singh was dressing to work the night shift. Ronil, a Fijian-American who emigrated from Fiji, took a wonderful photo with his young wife and baby in front of their Christmas tree. Ronil headed to work to serve the citizens of his community, and was dead within hours. Ronil was killed by an illegal alien gang member. This criminal would have already been deported if not for our sanctuary state laws. This criminal was arrested as he was fleeing to Mexico to avoid prosecution. Ronil Singh, his wife and baby became victims of the sanctuary state laws enacted by California. If passed, AB 937 will permit scores of violent illegal alien criminals, like the man who murdered Ronil, to simply walk out of prisons and back into our communities. How many Ronil Singh's need to die before we see that this type of legislation is dangerous to the communities you and I serve. Please vote NO on AB 937.” — Drew M. Bessinger, Councilmember, City of Clovis

On July 14, 2020, Mayor Drew Bessinger wrote to the California Department of Consumer Affairs urging relief for salon and barbershop owners shut down by the state's closure order. RE: Closure of Salons and Barbers in California / Prohibition for Outdoor Services “This letter is sent as an individual elected official and not on behalf of the City of Clovis. Governor Newsom's latest closure order is devastating to your licensees. Many had just reopened and were acting in a responsible manner when the Governor ordered their closure. Many licensees are just hanging on financially and some are on the brink of financial failure. The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology has instructed their licensees to cease both indoor and outdoor services. I know that there are locations in my city where services could be rendered outside in a safe and hygienic manner. While I reluctantly acknowledge the need to cease indoor operations, prohibiting outdoor operations is capricious and unfair. Your licensees are responsible, well trained professionals. The training and certifications required in health and safety they must meet to be licensed in our State is exceedingly high. These professionals are prepared to work out of doors to serve their customers. Many licensees are faced with the dilemma of either failing financially or risking sanctions from BBC. These good people have earned the right to practice their profession and protect their property rights in their businesses. It does our community and the Department of Consumer Affairs no good to have these businesses fail; we both lose the revenue that we would receive from their lawful operation, and the people and their employees lose everything. Please immediately direct the BBC to permit outside operations during this closure order period.” — Drew M. Bessinger, Mayor, City of Clovis

On December 15, 2020, Mayor Drew Bessinger wrote to Governor Gavin Newsom urging that California restaurants be deemed essential businesses and allowed to reopen under reasonable health guidelines. RE: Request for Essential Business Designation for Restaurants in California “I am writing you to strongly implore you to permit restaurants in California to be deemed as ‘essential businesses’ and reopened under reasonable and appropriate health guidelines. More than 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently across our country as the industry grapples with the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. One in six U.S. eateries are closing permanently according to a recent survey by the National Restaurant Association, up from 100,000 shutdowns in a September 2020 survey. I have spoken to Clovis restaurateurs who have told me they are on the brink of total collapse and will not reopen if closed much longer. In full disclosure, my son is one of those business owners, but I have spoken to many who are angst-ridden over the potential that the businesses they built will be rendered worthless, they will made insolvent and their dedicated employees destitute. I know that you are already being lobbied on this, and that there are good people on the other side of the equation asking you to continue the closures in the name of public health. I know that the hospitals in our region are also struggling with available ICU beds. Many of our businesses could reopen with reduced interior/outdoor dining and limp along and live to fight another day as a vaccine is released to our citizenry. Please consider the human suffering of business owners, their employees and our fellow Californians in need of some respite during the holidays and into 2021. Thank you for your leadership during these difficult days.” — Drew Bessinger, Mayor, City of Clovis

On May 12, 2020, Mayor Drew Bessinger wrote to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control opposing proposed emergency regulations that would have penalized struggling restaurant licensees. RE: Proposed Emergency Regulations “I am responding as an individual elected official to your Notice of Proposed Emergency Regulations dated May 11, 2020 sent to ABC licensees. This letter is not sent on behalf of the City of Clovis as this issue could not be placed on the Council agenda in time for the 5 day public response period. I have had several conversations with our local ABC about the current state of affairs for many restaurants in our city. Many licensees, to include my son, are just hanging on financially and some are on the brink of financial failure. I have proposed to the local ABC and State elected official that ABC should permit licensees to voluntarily ‘inactivate’ their licenses so that they can open to serve food inside their premises. No alcoholic beverages would be served. The establishment would work with the County Health Officer to address any health concerns. Regarding your proposed emergency order, I find it troubling that licensees that open in violation of the Governor's order are placed in the same category as those who deal drugs, run prostitutes or are involved in organized crime. I think the proposed action is heavy-handed and unnecessary. I ask that you delay this proposed emergency order until consideration is made to permit voluntarily ‘inactivate’ licenses so businesses can survive as restaurants only. It does our community and ABC no good to have these businesses fail; we both lose the revenue that we would receive from their lawful operation, and the people and their employees lose everything.” — Drew Bessinger, Mayor, City of Clovis

On May 22, 2020, Mayor Drew Bessinger wrote to the California Department of Consumer Affairs urging the reopening of salons and barber shops across California. RE: Reopening of Salons and Barber Shops In California “This letter is sent as an individual elected official and not on behalf of the City of Clovis. I have had numerous conversations with local licensees about the current state of affairs for many beauty salons and barber shops in our City. Many licensees are just barely hanging on financially and some are on the brink of financial failure. They must still pay rent on their premises. Some have been unable to obtain paycheck protection or unemployment funds. I have also had many conversations with consumers, demanding that they have access to the services of your licensees. Your licensees are responsible, well trained professionals. The training and certifications required in health and safety they must meet to be licensed in our State is exceedingly high. These professionals are ready to get back to work. They will abide by the new requirements set forth by Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. The public has confidence in their professional barbers, stylists and cosmetologists. Seeing a barber or stylist is not just an esoteric thing, personal hygiene and comfort are very important to the public we serve. Many licensees are faced with the dilemma of either failing financially or risking sanctions from BBC. These good people have earned the right to practice their profession and protect their property rights in their businesses. It does our community and the Department of Consumer Affairs no good to have these businesses fail; we both lose the revenue that we would receive from their lawful operation, and the people and their employees lose everything. Additionally, the public needs and deserves this service. Please advocate more strongly with the Governor's Office to restore these services to Californians.” — Drew Bessinger, Mayor, City of Clovis

Why Californians Should Reject Proposition 50 Published in The Fresno Bee, November 2025 Redistricting Must Respect Voters, Not Divide Them Drew Bessinger, Councilmember City of Clovis In the ever-shifting landscape of California politics, local voices too often get lost in the shuffle of back-room political maneuvering. This is why I am urging voters to say NO to Proposition 50—a measure that, if passed, would fundamentally undermine fair representation for communities like Clovis and beyond. Prop 50 divides Clovis into three districts. A large majority of Clovis will no longer be part of the Fresno/Clovis metro area. We are absorbed into a sprawling district, the largest in California, that stretches east to the Nevada border, south to the San Bernardino County line, and north to Alpine County. The end result? A district so vast it covers ten counties. Mountain passes close each winter making it nearly impossible to traverse for much of the year without a day-long trek through Tehachapi. Proponents claim that Prop 50 is only “temporary”, but it remains in force until 2032. That's not temporary in my book. Clovis spent a great deal of time putting together council districts, and made sure they met the legal requirements. This map was drawn specifically and deliberately to dilute and disenfranchise the voices of voters—especially those with more conservative leanings—by scattering them across expansive and unmanageable Congressional districts. Consider the broader political context: California's Congressional delegation currently holds a 43-9 Democratic majority, while the State Legislature in Sacramento has 90 Democrats to just 30 Republicans. Registered Republicans account for approximately 40% of voters in California but have less than 20% of Congressional seats. In Sacramento, of the 12 of State seats, only 30 are Republican. Prop 50 is meant to reduce conservative representation even further, with an unspoken goal of zero. This is a textbook example of the tyranny of the majority. Furthermore, the logistical challenges imposed by such a district would leave constituents with fewer opportunities to interact with their elected representatives. Town halls, community forums, and direct outreach would be severely limited by distance and accessibility, making it very difficult for citizens and local officials to be heard. Prop 50 is not only bad public policy; it's a step backward for democracy in our state. ALL Californians deserve fair and equal treatment in our elections and from our elected representatives. You can't “Save Democracy” by trampling on it. On Election Day, stand up for your community. Vote NO on Prop 50. The author has been an elected Clovis Councilmember since 2017, former Mayor of Clovis, retired Clovis PD Captain and former Police Chief for 5 Valley cities. Drew is speaking for himself and not on behalf of either the Clovis City Council or the City of Clovis.